Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisor Mandelmann and Supervisor Feuer propose citywide plan for temporary safe sleeping sites
Summary
Supervisors Matt Mandelmann and Sandra Lee Fewer introduced an ordinance requiring the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to deliver a time-bound plan to create a network of temporary ‘safe sleeping’ sites for people who are unable to access shelter or housing, aiming to place every unsheltered person in a safe overnight location.
Supervisors Matt Mandelmann and Sandra Lee Fewer introduced legislation Oct. 20 that would require the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to develop a citywide network of temporary safe-sleeping sites for unsheltered residents.
Under the proposal, HSH must file an implementation plan within 60 days describing how to open enough safe sleeping sites to serve at least 500 unsheltered people within nine months of the ordinance’s effective date, and to open sufficient additional sites so every unsheltered person who lacks shelter access can be offered an overnight safe-site within 18 months.
“Safe sleeping sites are a tested and proven model that can be cost effective and scalable,” Mandelmann said, noting simultaneous investments in permanent housing are still the long‑term goal. The plan would identify operator selection methods, service levels (meals, hygiene, outreach) and transportation arrangements to help people move between reservation and pickup points.
Mandelmann said the sites are not a substitute for permanent housing but a way to ensure the city does not rely on sidewalks and parks as “shelter of last resort.” Supervisor Feuer, a cosponsor, said the Board has already pushed for sheltering during the pandemic and that safe sleeping sites are a logical next step.
HSH officials said they had already piloted several sites during 2020 and that the city currently operates multiple small safe sleeping operations; the ordinance would direct a coordinated expansion and require HSH to assess cost-effectiveness and identify funding sources. The measure was introduced for committee consideration; no Board vote was taken Oct. 20.
